Chamber President Laurie White spoke with Harrison Peters, Superintendent for the Providence Public School District, about ongoing education reform efforts and the school year so far amid COVID-19.

"We know that the relationship between our school district and industry is inextricably tied. There is not one without the other. So, we need the business community. We need your innovation. We also need your incubation, where we can incubate brand new ideas and ways of thinking," said Superintendent Peters.

Innovative ideas and thoughts from the business community can be sent to innovate@ppsd.org.

- Superintendent Peters said it is a humbling experience to help the students and families. He and his team have hand delivered laptops, hotspots, and other technology and support through the Providence Schools Cares Campaign.

- Through personal outreach and check ins, Providence Schools have been able to engage with families and students and re-engage those students that they had not had contact with previously.

- Providence Schools are expecting a new shipment of laptops for teachers that will support their efforts in taking their teaching to the next level. Peters says they are also supporting teachers with more professional development opportunities.

- 225,000 school meals were given out to Providence families over the Thanksgiving holiday.

- Talking about the Providence Schools Turnaround Action Plan, Peters says we are in a much better place than last year. His work is based on Education Commissioner Infante-Green's priorities guided by three core principles: 1) community engagement, 2) excellence in learning, and 3) world class talent.
 

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